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By Irita, on December 9th, 2009
Dreadlocks, sometimes simply called dreads, locks or dreadlocks – are entangled hairs that form only if they are left alone to grow naturally without the use of brushes, combs, razors or scissors. The first known examples of dreadlocks date back to Pharaonic Itoure (Nile Valley), where members of the royal family wore dreadlocked headgear.
Today, ignorance is driving most of us to associate the holders of locks to groups of crooks. Several times I have heard friends and brothers say that because of their hair, they were approached in the street by people who wanted to sell them marijuana. The sellers approached these individuals solely because they had dreadlocks. The dreadlocks have been associated so much with Rastafarian culture, which is in turn associated with smoking, that few people know the true roots and history of dreadlocked hair. What are the origins and meanings of traditional or Dreadlock Rasta?
The new generation Rastafarians will tell you that the culture of locks originally came from Africa but any other knowledge of locks beyond the continent is unknown. While the older generations of Rastafarians have great pride for their natural hair and sees it as a symbol of their fight against Babylon supporting non-violence, non-compliance with the system of Babylon, communitarianism and solidarity and as a spiritual fact, many new generation Rastas see their locks as a passport to smoking and listening to reggae music without really understanding the Rastafarian culture and values.
While Rastafarianism historically rejected the whole System of Babylon, including soft drinks, alcohol and cigarettes, modern Rastas have often become consumers of tobacco, meat and alcohol. Wearing hair has become a lifestyle more than a spiritual belief, and people wear dreadlocks so that they are seen as conscious or Afrocentric, rather than honest and conscious spiritual people.
 “Dreadlocks” were originally worn in Kemet. It is not worn as a style but rather has a profound spiritual significance.  Illustration by Marrwho Hasati Dreadlocks have been part of the history of every spiritual system. From Christianity to Hinduism, the locks have always been a symbol of a spiritual person in search of enlightenment towards the Divine world. If one is looking for the meaning and history of locks, we can find reference to them in all cultures and all holy books (the Bible tells us that Samson had hair in dreadlocks, and his unmatched strength was lost after Dalilah cut his hair). The origins of dreadlocks is commonly traced back to Hinduism and the God Shiva, but stops there. Meanwhile, most people recognize that dreadlocks have their origin in Africa, but nobody seems to know where, how or why! As with everything else, the true origins of dreadlocks can be found in Kemet (Africa).
“Originally, the dreadlocks were the hallmark of the spiritual state of an individual,” said Dogon Priest and spiritual master NABA Lamoussa Morodenibig, founder of Earth Center, in an interview. He explained that the priests of certain Deities (Gods) were necessarily obligated, at least for a period of time, to wear dreadlocks. For example, priests of the Deities involved in the healing of the body and procreation, as the Gods WSR, Heru, Theouris, and Sekhmet are required to have dreadlocks. A period of seven to thirteen years is required of the priests of these Deities, during which they must let their hair grow freely and devote themselves entirely to the Godhead. Meanwhile, the priest has a responsibility toward the God and the temple. After that, if they want their hair to be cut, a ceremony is done and they can remove their locks if they wish. In addition, for other Deities such as Aishat, one must shave all the hair on the body to be able to serve this category of Deities. It all depends on the God and the temple that is being served.
What about hair is so important for priests and temples? It is the notion of purity. The hairs are huge channel transmitters and receivers of energy. When you are in an area, like a temple, where the flow of energy should be tightly controlled, the hair is very useful or very disturbing according to energy needs, explained NABA. Even when a hair falls from the body, it does not lose its qualities, and it can become a great disturbance in the flow of energy. Even animals that are sacrificed are thoroughly checked for a specific type of fur. It is not all sheep or cows that can be used in a ceremony – it’s only a priest who has the ability to determine if an animal is good for a sacrifice, and it is a heavy responsibility. The untrained eye will think that an animal can serve for a sacrifice, but if just one part of the coat is the wrong color, the animal will not provide the flow of energy needed for the sacrifice!
It is known that many Pharaohs wore their hair in dreadlocks, for example: the mummy of king Tutankhamun was found with locks still intact. How is it that dreadlocks have become a Rastafarian symbol, rather than that of African spirituality? Master Naba offers knowledge: dreadlocks in spirituality have a very high value. During the pre-colonial period in Africa, healers and priests in many parts of the continent had dreadlocks, and every religion that has come has adopted the idea of wearing dreadlocks or shaving the hair on any part of the body. In the Bible it says that those who do not shave the hair, and drink alcohol or eat meat are the closest to God. Jesus himself is portrayed with long hair! In Islam, shaving is considered a value of cleanliness. To associate dreadlocks with only Rastafarianism is simply untrue. But in the history of blacks, Rastafarianism became a politico-spiritual movement after the prophecy of Marcus Garvey. It gave black people a spirit of hope, and led the Rastafarians to adopt the attitude of African priests: Keeping their hair as priests, not eating red meat, not drinking alcohol and not using drugs or smoking cigarettes. They decided to put their hopes in spirituality.
The dreadlocks have a very strong spiritual significance that is virtually unknown in modern society today. Now they are worn as a style, a political message or as a rebellion. Many people, young and old, have no idea what it means spiritually to wear dreadlocks, and they do not really know the position in which wearing locks places them. The dreadlocks relate to the concept of dedication and sacrifice to the Gods or Deities and the spiritual rules. Wearing dreadlocks is a very heavy spiritual burden. Only those who have consciously decided to take a vow of purity and to follow all of the Original Seventy-Seven Commandments and apply them to all aspects of their life can wear dreadlocks. People of any race or any sex can do this, because spiritually we are the same, but anyone who wears dreadlocks must know and understand the spiritual meaning behind the wearing of dreadlocks to get away from any negative consequences.
Most people in modern societies have no idea of the consequences of wearing locks, other than their own imagination and definitions. So what are the consequences of wearing dreadlocks? According to the wisdom of Kemet, the earliest and most authentic spiritual system ever known to all mankind, the wearing of locks would be synonymous with the reverence to our ancestral roots, the quest for purity of soul and spirit and the application of the Original Seventy-Seven (77) Divine Ordinances at all times. It is a heavy responsibility! The Seventy-Seven spiritual laws or Commandments were given to mankind by the Neteru (Gods) so that we can create the world we want to see and approach the Divine World. How many of those who have locks in modern societies do not eat meat? How many people with locks do not get angry, become impatient or cause suffering to humans? How many of them pay homage to their ancestors…? How many of us, Rastafarians or others can honestly say they know and follow the original Seventy-Seven (77 ) Divine Commandments? Very few!
Having dreadlocks helps a person spiritually. They are a physical proof that the person has promised to follow the Seventy-Seven (77) Commandments and all the Gods will be more comfortable with this person. This helps the person in every sense; spiritual enlightenment, the development of meaning, communication with the ancestors and so on… But on the other hand, if we break a commandment, there are heavy penalties to pay. Wearing the dreadlocks literally appeals to the Gods as guarantors for the Seventy-Seven Commandments to be applied seriously to life. So when one violates a commandment, it has a great effect on his life. One falls very quickly into destruction and self-destruction and suffers much more after his death. We are not obliged to choose a quality life, or to follow the Commandments, but wearing dreadlocks is already an awareness and promise to the Gods. Reprisals of the Gods are often heavy when one of the Commandments is broken. For example: A person who does not wear dreadlocks and tells a lie is punished much less than the person wearing the dreadlocks and telling the same lie.
Most people today in modern societies have never heard of the Original Seventy-Seven Commandments, much less follow them. Even students on the path of initiation are not able to follow all the Commandments all of the time … This puts all those who have not reached a certain level of purity and spirituality into a huge risk if they have hair in locks. Lying, cheating, stealing, killing animals, insects or other living beings, all these things are contrary to the Commandments, and it is safe to say that in the modern world, it is very rare that a person is able to follow commandments, at any time. Perhaps this is why traditionally the hair locks were reserved only for priests and guardians of the temple, rather than students, farmers and people who have not reached the level of spirituality that demand the wearing of dreadlocks.
Dreadlocks are not a fashion or style. They are not a political statement against the government or the system, and they are not a symbol of vices and pleasures, such as smoking, alcoholism, and crime! The dreadlocks are a very large and serious spiritual commitment that cannot be taken lightly.
 “Dreadlocks are not a fashion or style. They are not a political statement against the government or a system, and they are not a symbol of vices and pleasures, such as smoking, alcoholism and crime!”
By Nehez, on December 7th, 2009
Galactic Imperialism
On October 8th NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) an agency of the Federal Government executed their LCROSS Mission, in which they intentionally fired a centaur rocket at the moon. The blast was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Scientists were looking for sources of water in order to provide vital supplies for a manned moon-base. The centaur rocket which was propelled at twice the speed of a bullet was launched towards a crater close to the moon’s south pole. Scientists believe that ice could be trapped in the crater which never receives sunlight. Many NASA students and workers were very excited to watch the expected blast from their telescopes, however no debris clouds were visible as they had expected. Scientists state they have collected much data which now they are working to understand but much of their expectations were wrong.
Could their expectation of usable water on the moon be wrong? Could the viability of a manned moon-base be wrong? If so, $80 million dollars was thrown at nothing more than destructive target practice on our moon. This is barbaric at best. Such a destructive, risky act seems unbelievable. This is clear proof that we are in an era of exploitation. We will exploit anything in the desperation we feel from the state of peril that we have put our planet into by the same means. We have fooled ourselves into thinking that we are improving life on Earth and making technological advances but we must wake up to the fact that we have drastically affected the natural order of our planet (and the universe) more severely in just the last fifty years than through all of human evolution since history can trace. We as American citizens should ask ourselves, if our government is presenting our ancestors as primitive and underdeveloped for respecting the sacredness of life: What type of development are we now involved in? How much is our development worth if it is a development in which we will even throw bombs towards the “heavens”? Does the mad dog only awaken from his hysteria when there are no more bodies to bite? Can we afford that?
The Earth Center at The Diop International Conference
The Earth Center, a cultural center promoting traditional Kemetic values, was presented at the 21st Annual Diop International Conference by Dr. Mbuulih Tayoba Ngenge. Dr. Ngenge was accompanied by the director of The Earth Center, Herpw Bikbaye Inejnema. Herpw Inejnema is the eldest student of The Earth Center founder, Dogon High Priest Master Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig, and now heads the Los Angeles and San Diego branches of The Earth Center.
At the conference Dr. Ngenge, the head editor for The Earth Center’s Firefly Production Publishing House, made a presentation explaining how The Earth Center was here to open a new era in Education for Meritan (African) studies and those in the Diaspora who are seeking reconnection to a heritage that the slave trades and colonial era has worked so hard to rip away from them. Dr. Ngenge explained how the Niger and Nile Valley civilizations have survived within the traditional initiatic communities around the bend of the Niger river and how Master Naba and The Earth Center have created a bridge for humble, honest students to learn humanity’s original culture at a level of authenticity and preservation that is unmatched around the continent or globe.
In the fight to restore dignity and respect to Kemetic (traditional African) civilization and ancestral cultures, many African and African American scholars have ended up qualifying themselves and each other with the degrees handed down to them by the colonial education system. However it is this colonial system which has worked against their ultimate goals reclaiming their cultural identity, dignity and respect. The Southern Cameroon born Ngenge explained that these “titles” and “accolades” mean little for us if not at least paired with traditional initiations (like the one The Earth Center’s M’TAM School of Kemetic Philosophy & Spirituality provide). Considering the overall objectives: to raise humanity back to the place of intellectual strength and natural harmony that it once occupied when ancestral modes of education were the intellectual authority, this is imperative.
Ngenge and Inejnema were well received. Many conference members invited The Earth Center and Inejnema back to their universities. The potential of a Kemetic renaissance is astounding if it can be united under the authenticity of The Earth Center’s Kemetic values, the 77 commandments and initiatic education.
Taxing for Tithes
Controversy has surrounded recent financial decisions made by Illinois State Legislation. Many legal scholars have raised questions about the constitutional validity of some recent decisions to provide money for religious organization and educational facilities. Attention has risen on this issue because $31 billion dollars of taxpayer money has been earmarked for religious organizations in 2009. Currently, Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, a new Catholic High School being built on Chicago’s West Side has received a half-million dollar grant. This is just one of one hundred grants that make up the $31 billion dollar sum. Some of the other religious organizations receiving money are Telshe Yeshiva School ($100,000), St. Malachy School ($700,000), St. Anthony WW Temple ($750,000) and New Life Covenant Church ($100,000).
Religious charity workers deny that this raises a constitution problem. They claim that there is a high wall between the religious practices of the organizations and the social services which they provide.
However, it cannot be denied that funding any project that allows these religious organizations to increase their presence also increases their promotions, exposure and influence. Taxpayers among Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods should think hard on this fact, considering that there are already more churches in their neighborhood than even in Rome (home of the vatican) or Israel (Christian holy land).
The Illinois State government is struggling to fund college aid or even pay the bills on health care programs. Funding more churches and catholic schools when there has been no over-all proof that inner-city morale is improved by these funds is just hypocritical. Christianity and Catholicism already have a wide-spread presence throughout Chicago so why the need for an additional $31 billion dollars? In light of the US federal and state government’s quiet yet apparent history of using religion to dominate and subjugate its communities, this spending becomes quite clear. It is important to remember that through all of the carefully prepared public speeches and campaigns that the number one priority in politics is to maintain power. Christianity and Catholicism have ensured European/American dominance over people throughout the world much more successfully than guns and cannons. It is clear that one cannot surrender their education and their child’s education and development to people who’s care won’t go any further than their assurance of maintenance of power. Why would your governor ensure that your child is educated to be smarter than him? Citizens of Chicago must take responsibility for their family’s education. We can depend on the government for this, their mission has not changed over the last two centuries. We should let our voices be heard at the state legislation level, however we should primarily put our efforts into helping to privately fund and support projects and organizations that do have their families and communities best interest in mind, heart and hand.
In Chicago there are many private education facilities, there are privately funded Montessori Academies that receive funding through an organization called Galaesque. Montessori is a early educational philosophy in which the natural rhythms and evolution of a child are observed and given priority in their education. A holistic approach is the focus. However, with the variety of choices throughout Chicago, one should investigate the shool’s administration and director to find out the religious influences, etc. Parents should also remember that they are always the first teachers, their example is the first and often most impactful on the child’s growth and education. The Earth Center school in Chicago focuses on adult education and educating adults into an awareness of the dangers of colonial education and lifestyle. It educates adults into humanity’s earliest human culture, the Kemetic culture and in doing so gives the individual a wide awareness of human evolution, development and genius. Investigate the grassroots organizations around you, do not surrender your future to powerful people interested only in maintaining their power.
Observing Indigenous Day of Resistance
 President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, celebrates the Indigenous Day of Resistance with youth. The question of colonial holiday’s holding any moral and intellectual legitimacy has been given much attention in the Sunnyside Newspaper over the years. Sunnyside readers should not be ignorant to the problems that many people throughout the Americas have with holidays like Columbus Day. Columbus Day has been called by many a celebration of genocide of American Indians and colonial domination of America’s historical accounts.
Though many people agree that these questions with Columbus Day are valid and American history needs rewriting, few are willing to make changes without some alternative or substitute holidays that still allow them to celebrate or observe something on the day that their government has alloted them an off-day. Colonial society spreads many so thin in just having to keep up with their day to day survival that they find it hard to go further to improve their situations by changing old habits. This is even if our habits and customs have been proven to be outdated, irrelevant or even destructive.
In Hugo Chavez’ Venezuela they have started a new observance that has replaced Columbus Day for many. This holiday is known as The Indigenous Day of Resistance and it was celebrated this past October 12th. This day allows the inhabitants of Maanu (first traditional name for the Americas) to celebrate the spirit of resistance against colonial values, violence, and conquest by the original cultures of this continent. In celebration of this holiday, many public displays and celebration of traditional culture have taken place. In Venezuela, statues of Columbus have been destroyed or covered while requests have been made to replace them with leaders of the movement for traditional resistance such as Venezuelan Chief Guaicaipuro. Guaicaipuro was an instrumental figure in leading native resistance against Spanish colonization.
Where an individual puts their attention and energy is very important. In respect of all the indigenous ancestors who have given their lives to build and maintain cultures that fathered humanity, as well as resist the onslaught of invasions that threatened to disconnect us from our heritage, may we all be mindful of where our energy and support is going… in observation and celebration of the Indigenous Day of Resistance.
By Kasabez, on December 3rd, 2009
 
by Kasabez Maakmaah
Human beings cannot survive in this world alone. Our existence depends on more than we often realize. We depend on our communities and nature to meet our daily requirements for living. Our food, clothing and shelter, we do not create these things on our own. Even for us to be born and to be raised to adulthood took hard work and sacrifice from our parents and those involved in our upbringing. When we are born, we arrive into this world helpless. If not for the love and care of others, we would not survive 1 week.
It is our communities which bring us up and make us who we are. It is our communities which inspire us to become who we will become. It is nature that provides all the resources to make all this possible. Our ability to live in harmony with our community and nature play a big part in our quality of life and even how long we will live. On a larger level, the same is true for our communities. The ability of our community to exist in harmony with other communities and nature will determine the quality of its future.
The universe operates on this principle of harmony: Any entity in existence must remain in harmony with existence in order to continue to exist. This can be observed on a very simple level. We can observe this in our own lives. There are natural laws which govern our lives. We know that there are certain things that we have to do just to live: Eat, sleep, breathe, have children (to perpetuate ourselves for generations). There are certain things that will kill us: Fire, water, disease, other people. We remain in harmony with our world by obeying these laws.
Our values are determined by what we will and will not do in our quest to survive the challenges of this world. Our quality is determined by our obedience of these values. This quality is what will determine the level of respect that we earn in our communities. If we are helpful to others, others will be helpful to us. If we are hurtful to others, others will be hurtful to us. Our actions become like echos that come back to us like a return on investment. Once again, we see this same principle apply to our communities. The quality of our community will determine how other communities treat us. If our communities are respectable, we will be respected. If our communities are ignorant, we will be treated like fools.
When we observe the world around us and we notice the widespread destruction and chaos that seems to have become normal for us, an honest assessment will tell us that our lack of quality as a world community is at the root of our misfortune. We all want to see ourselves as good people but how good can we be when we aren’t living in harmony with our surroundings? The values we are adopting are not leading us towards a bright future. It should not be a mystery that, if our values are not inspiring us collectively to take actions that ensure our survival, not as a special interest group, but as a part of the vast variety of cultures and lifeforms on this planet, then we are putting ourselves at odds with the rest of the world. If our values teach us to see the survival of only a small group as being more important than the rest, then our values are failing us. With that mentality, we will only succeed in making ourselves enemies of the rest of the world.
It is our quality that brings us together. People unite when they know they can trust each other based on the values that they share. People come together when they have a common goal that leads them in a common direction. People on a path towards the same destination will adopt similar qualities. It is this quality that binds us together and makes us a community.
Kemetic Civilization is the original culture of humanity. This means that is belongs to all human beings and is not limited to a geographic location or to a “race” of people. The only requirement to be a part of Kemetic Civilization is to uphold the values of the culture. Central to these values are the 77 commandments, which outline all of the actions a human being must not commit in order to remain in harmony with existence. It is according to these values that humanity has survived in harmony with the Earth for over 100,000 years, accomplishing feats that are unimaginable to the “modern” person. If we understand that our current values are failing us, then it makes sense for us to return to what has worked for us for so long.
On the Day of Tehuti, we celebrate the day that humanity, as a collective, decided to make its goal to become Divine Beings and duplicate the Divine World. To assist us, we were given the 77 commandments by the Divine World.
We recognize that the perfect order of the universe, from the cycles of the stars in the cosmos to the cycles of the seasons on Earth does not happen by accident or coincidence. We recognize that it is the Divine World that is responsible for the perfect harmony of existence. We become inspired by that perfection and it becomes our goal to duplicate that perfection within ourselves and amongst each other. This is the goal of Kemetic Civilization.
It is clear that the path that humanity is currently on is only leading to more and more destruction. It is we who are causing this destruction as a collective. None of us can deny responsibility. We can only look at the values that we are holding to see why we allow ourselves to participate in the destruction of the world.
If our values are leading us to destruction and self destruction, our values will have to change for us to turn ourselves around. It’s time for us to return to what works.
By Baheru, on December 3rd, 2009
In M’TAM(the oldest Traditional Initiatic Education known to humanity), we are taught to observe a phenomenon in its many sequences which all contribute to the final outcome, because any one cause can be seen as the main contributing factor to a unknowing observer. We are conditioned by modern science and colonial education to usually perceive the last event in the chain of sequences as the cause of a phenomenon. If this were true, what about the other thousand possible causes we can attribute to a certain effect or outcome. Any one cause we decide to choose, which seems to make sense to us, is only arbitrary depending on who else is viewing the same outcome because the cause they choose may be totally different from what we choose.
In 2008, it was estimated over 5,000 people were executed in Mexico’s drug war and more than 3,000 this year, making the “drug war” more deadly than the actual drugs. Many people have lost their lives as a result of power, money, manipulation and corruption. The Sinaloa Cartel, Juarez Cartel, Tijuana Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas and La Familia are well known drug cartels that have been involved in this ongoing battle for quite some time. The drug wars have grown more intense over the past few years. They have gained even more momentum since Colombian drug cartels began to search for new routes into the United States, considering their South Florida routes have become more of a risk.
These Colombian cartels initiated negotiations with the Mexican cartels promising money if they could help traffic drugs into the United States. This only lasted a short time because the Mexican cartels envisioned the amounts of money and power they could acquire by them¬selves if they excluded the Colombians. This has been the way Mexican cartels have gone about it for awhile. Although Colombians are still exporting illegal drugs to Mexico that are eventually sold in America and other places, the Mexican drug cartels are their own bosses now.
The Mexican government is at a stand still as to what should be done because they are being out gunned by the cartels. The cartels are growing in numbers due to the fact that many who once worked for the Mexican government, police department or were part of the military are now joining the cartels. Mexican government can’t come close to paying as much money as the cartels are willing to pay them. Many are being hired as hitmen or assassins easily, also out of fear of being killed by the cartels.
The cartels are terrorizing the country with public acts of violence. Bodies are turning up all over, many are found beheaded, burned or dismembered to instill fear in the opposing cartels, Mexican government officials, and anyone else who is observing. Most victims are involved directly with the cartels but some are innocent civilians that are kidnapped or murdered for no apparent reason. Some cartels have even went as far as posting killings on YouTube for the world to see. Mexico is turning into one of the kidnapping capitals of the world which is affecting the economy because tourists are afraid to travel to certain cities.
The level at which the cartels are functioning is becoming much more refined than your average street gang. They employ the world’s best computer technicians, accountants, lawyers, doctors, etc. If this continues, the Mexican government may find itself in a position were it must either surrender the country, join the cartels or be destroyed.
The epicenter of violence in Mexico remains Ciudad Juarez, where nearly 2,000 people have been murdered in a drug/mafia war over the past year and a half, many of them are just boys (although some are young girls too). 80% of the victims are younger than 25 years old. Many people throughout Mexico have suffered due to the violence but the areas where the most violence occurs are Baja California, Guerrero, Chihua¬hua, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and Sinaloa.
The Mexican drug cartels are recruiting very young soldiers to fight.The violence is fueled by the cartels who have begun seeking younger and younger recruits. The cartels recruit young boys from the School of Social Betterment for Minors (and schools similar) on the outskirts of Juarez. They target young delinquents who usually are in these schools for robbing, killing or selling drugs.
“Sicaritos are children who are assassins, 13 or 14 years old,” says Soto, a high school student. “The cartels give them a weapon to use. It’s easier for a boy. If he’s older, he thinks too much, he may think about the consequences. But when you’re young, you think you can take on the world.” “To be an assassin, you can’t think,” says Daniel, 16. “You just do it, grab a pistol and go kill somebody, or whatever. It doesn’t matter if you die or not.” Soto adds, “If you don’t have a mother or a father, you have no one to believe in you, then it’s easy to fall into this, to be a delinquent.” Their immaturity and naivety produce fearlessness. For young boys who are marginalized by society, cartel membership brings instant respect, power and social recognition.
Who is to blame? The government? It doesn’t have much time to provide healthy activities for the young people to take part in due to the country’s internal turmoil. The parents who already live in fear that one day their family may be killed by the escalating violence? Criminal activity and trouble are what is left to occupy the youth’s time. Young people don’t have much of a choice growing up in a environment that shows them that it’s ok to kill, steal or sell drugs. Many youth get involved because joining a cartel becomes their means for survival and some have even expressed their desire to avenge the killing of relatives or friends. Poverty and lack of access to educational or work opportunities are additional factors. Family and peer pressure also play a factor in youth joining forces with a drug cartel. Unfortunately, child soldiers exist in all regions of the world in almost every country where there is armed conflict. As long as the world is being ruined by corrupt government mafias, this will continue to be the trend worldwide.
Firearms are not legally available for sale in Mexico, so drug cartels must smuggle them through the U.S. or Guatemalan borders, or by sea. The United States is known to be a main supplier of weapons in this ongoing drug war in Mexico and Central America. It is estimated that 95% of weapons used in the drug war are arriving from the United States illegally. It is also estimated that over 2,000 automatic fire arms each day are making its way across the border into Mexico.
 Only one day after offering $2 million for tips leading to top drug lords, it was announced Wednesday that Hector Huerta Rios, also known as "La Burra" or "El Junior," was arrested Tuesday in San Pedro Garza Garcia in Nuevo Leon state. Whether this is the real “Drug Lord” or not, the problem continues Illegal drugs aren’t foreign to US soil. The United States is one of the biggest drug markets in the world. How is this possible, considering that “The War on Terror” has allowed the United States Congress to pass bills that have basically led to all US citizens surrendering their rights of privacy they once had? In a time of economic crisis, it is not a surprise that violence is steadily climbing especially along the border of the US. People are becoming more desperate and impatient due to the money issues taking place across the globe.
The United States government has a long history of importing drugs into this country, even while they were advertising the famous slogan that is very similar to the one we have been recently bombarded with since 9/11. The “War on Drugs” slogan preceded the now famous “War on Terror”. The History of the “War on Drugs” in the US started back during Richard Nixon’s administration but was made more popular by the Regan Administration. Nancy Reagan’s famous quote was, “Just Say No”. This was in the early 80’s when crack cocaine started to “mysteriously” find its way into every poor predominately minority community. Crack cocaine has and continues to devastate inner city communities all over the country. Many communities still have not recovered because crack cocaine isn’t the only drug that is made easily available at cheap prices. Heroin, methamphetamines/ amphetamines, and marijuana were responsible for 8,736 drug deaths in one year in the US. So the question remains, what happened to the “War on Drugs”? We don’t hear about it anymore even though the number of people using drugs continues to increase, the number of drug related crimes continues to increase, the number of deaths due to overdose continues to increase. The drug war in Mexico is just as big of a problem for the people of the US as it is for the people of Mexico because the drug cartels are rapidly establishing themselves in American cities like Atlanta, New York City, Anchorage (Alaska), Chicago, even rural Tennessee and South Dakota.
What is really being done about this? We must be honest in our assessment of our government and their agenda(s). If the goal of this country was to put an end to drug trafficking within its borders, an effective plan would have been implemented to make sure it is done, considering they have the means to do so. Maybe that was never an honest goal of this government, especially considering how much money they make in their involvement with drug trafficking and how many minorities were imprisoned with the “War On Drugs”. It is estimated that the United States government makes close to 38 billion dollars a year from the drug trafficking that is taking place at our Mexican border.
The United States is no stranger to war. Nearly every war that has taken place in modern history, we were either at the center of it or we played a significant role. The United States’ continued pursuit for power has allowed them to be positioned as the number one world “super power” and with this being the case, we have interest all over the world and will go to great lengths to get what we want at any cost, bottom line!
By Nehez, on December 3rd, 2009
 CHICAGO – One of the largest events focusing on African culture will return to Chicago as the must-attend event of the summer. Africa International House (AIH) will present the 20th Annual Chrysler Financial African Festival of the Arts on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4 – 7, 2009, in Washington Park, at 51st and Cottage Grove. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The African Festival of the Arts celebrates 20 years of Africa and Africans throughout the Diaspora and especially in Chicago. Washington Park, located a stone’s throw from President Obama’s Hyde Park neighborhood, will be transformed into an African village filled with artists and artisans, music, dance, drumming, the exotic aroma of African cuisine and more than 250,000 festival-goers seeking to experience the continent and culture of Africa.
This year’s theme is “Traditions, History and Legends,” which, according to Festival Producer and Africa International House President Patrick Woodtor, is indicative of the cultural influence of Africa from ancient times through present day and beyond.
“This year’s Festival represents 20 years of our mission to educate our audiences about Africa, the cradle of all civilization, while celebrating her significance and impact on mankind,” Woodtor said.
As always, the Festival offers something for everyone. At the heart of the Festival is the African Marketplace featuring more than 300 artists and vendors with a variety of African and Afrocentric wares including fine art, artifacts, crafts, fashions, jewelry, masks, collectibles, baskets, beads, fabrics, textiles, museum quality African art, furniture, household goods and gift items.
Additionally, the fine arts, film and quilting pavilions will have an array of offerings. The Children’s Pavilion will be filled with activity to entertain and educate young festival-goers. The Health and Wellness Village will be filled with activities focused on maintaining optimal health and fitness. The Spirituality Pavilion will explore ancient belief systems and the roots of religion.
Festival favorites such as the Drumming Village and the Bank of the Nile Food Court will keep festival-goers in Washington Park all weekend long.
The entertainment line-up will include performances by world-renowned jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, South African songstress Lorraine Klaasen, vocalist Julia Huff, musician Booker T. Jones, R&B legends the Ohio Players, Congolese touring ensemble Soukous Stars, the first US tour of the Cuban group Los 3 de la Habana, Spirit dance troupe, and more.
Festival tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, call (773) 955-ARTS (2787) or visit www.africanfestivalchicago.com.
The mission of Africa International House is to serve as a center that exposes and educates all people to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures.
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The Sidereal Calendar
Year 410
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Philosphy Podium
Volume 1:
A Dogon Perspective
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